Monday, July 24, 2017

FPI prods ERC to act on power supply deals

MANILA, Philippines -
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has urged the Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC) to act on the pending power supply agreements (PSAs) to
fast-track the supply of electricity to end-users nationwide.

FPI is composed of 34
industry associations and 120 manufacturing firms operating around the country.

FPI chairman Jesus
Arranza expressed concern over the delays being encountered by several power
projects that will ensure the country’s supply in the coming years.

“Energy security is a
very important concern for FPI since all of our members are manufacturers that
need stable and reliable supply for their operations,” Arranza said.

“That is why we are
concerned on the reported delays of several projects because of the lack of PSA
approvals,” he added.

The FPI head likewise
said delays in the approval process significantly affect the development of
baseload power plants, which can produce reliable electricity 24/7. These
plants take around three to four years to build.

“Power plant developers should start
constructing their projects now to ensure that we will have sufficient supply
that will support the country’s economic growth,” Arranza said.

“We enjoin the ERC to
do its role by acting on the more than 90 PSAs pending with the commissions
since April last year,” he said.The FPI also lauded the Duterte
administration’s move to declare energy projects of national significance.

“We welcome the
continued push of the Department of Energy (DOE) to streamline the processing
of energy projects that will ensure energy security,” Arranza said.

President Duterte
issued on June 30 Executive Order 30, creating an Energy Investment
Coordinating Council (EICC) led by the DOE.

The EICC was tasked to
lead national government efforts to harmonize, integrate and streamline
regulatory processes, requirements and forms relevant to the development of
energy investments in the country.